The Safe Schools/Healthy Students [SS/HS] Initiative is an unprecedented collaborative grant program supported by three Federal agencies-the U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Justice. The SS/HS Initiative seeks to develop real-world knowledge about what works best to promote safe and healthy environments in which America's children can learn and develop.
Since 1999, more than 240 urban, rural, suburban, and tribal school districts-in collaboration with local mental health and juvenile justice providers-have received grants using a single application process. These grantees are implementing comprehensive programs that address all of the following six elements:
• A safe school environment
• Alcohol and other drugs and violence prevention and early intervention programs
• School and community mental health preventive and treatment intervention services
• Early childhood psychosocial and emotional development services
• Supporting and connecting schools and communities
• Safe school policies
School districts submit comprehensive plans created in partnership with law enforcement officials, local mental health authorities, and often with juvenile justice officials and community-based organizations as well. Through grants made to local education authorities, the SS/HS Initiative provides schools and communities across the United States with the benefit of enhanced school and community-based services in an effort to strengthen healthy child development, thus reducing violent behavior and substance use.
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